When I visited Puy du Fou for the first time last year, I stayed at Îles de Clovis, which is a middle age lake-side settlement with fifty huts built on stilts, with thatched roofs and half-timbering, that were eco-designed to recreate the authentic ambiance of a village from the Merovingian period.

There are five themed hotels to choose from; Le Logis de Lescure – an 18th century lodge, La Citadelle – a medieval castle, Camp du Drap d’Or – a Tudor style encampment that look like opulent tents, La Villa Gallo-Romaine – an ancient Roman villa and The Îles de Clovis.

When we returned to Puy du Fou last month we decided to experience something different and having stayed in an Elizabethan Manor recently, our over-riding choice was La Citadelle – the medieval castle.

We didn’t tell the kids where we were staying and their reaction was priceless as we walked up to the entrance!

As you pass through the portcullis, you enter a medieval courtyard, with wooden carts, suspended lanterns and washing hanging on the line as if it were a real working village in the grounds of the castle.

The kids loved exploring the outside of the hotel, which also has a tavern and a stable – can you spot Sebby hiding in a crate?

Inside, the accommodation is arranged more like a traditional hotel, with a lift and stairs and rooms off a main corridor.

But don’t let that fool you!!

These rooms are not traditional by any means and despite having air conditioning, WiFi and a widescreen TV, the theming continues throughout the interior of the hotel.

We stayed in a classic room which has 5 beds and sleeps five and the kids adored their bunk beds, which are separated from the main room, off the hallway.

The rooms feature opulent gold fabrics, solid oak furniture and stunning glass windows that let the light really flood into the room.

The rooms also feature a themed toilet. which the kids found hilarious – lots of comments about “sitting on the throne”.

The wet room was stunning too, with a huge sink and powerful walk-in shower.

The only downside to the room was that there are no tea / coffee making facilities and not enough plugs to charge our technology.

For breakfast and dinner, you can enjoy the buffet at L’Ecuyer-Tranchant, the restaurant located in the Citadelle’s main courtyard.

There is a good variety of food, including meat and vegetarian dishes at dinner, to suit the whole family, although the kids would have lived on the desserts given half a chance and a continental breakfast selection in the morning!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at La Citadelle and the kids definitely enjoyed the novelty of staying in a castle, in fact, it was the perfect way to spend a family visit to Puy du Fou.

Staying in La Citadelle costs from €68 per person which also includes entry into the park.

Disclaimer: We were guests of Puy du Fou for the purpose of a review. All thoughts and opinions are our own

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• la citadelle
• north west france
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